In this magazine you'll observe the society REALLY making Jehovah's Witnesses question themselves, doubt themselves. Even if they are observing the organization doing something questionable, they are NOT to doubt Jehovah or the organization, but their own imperfect human judgments. In other words : " Don't trust your own mind - it's skewed ".
Under the article titled, " Keep on Seeking first his Righteousness " on pg.8 it lays the groundwork in stating, " Seeking His righteousness includes trying to live according to His values, and perfect standards, NOT OUR OWN. It is not a matter of obeying His laws out of FEAR of punishment. (Yeah right) Rather, our love for God motivates us to endeavor to please Him by upholding His standards, NOT establishing our own . " What they are really saying is that we should obey without question whatever the organization tells us to do. After all, they have taken the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of the witnesses.
It continues in paragraph 8,9 : " We need to remember, though, that if we question the fairness or rightness of Jehovah's decisions (substitute the society's decisions) , we are, in effect, starting to put OUR standard of righteousness above Jehovah's (Watchtower society's) standard. It is as if we put Jehovah (society) on trial and judged Him by our own standards of right and wrong. Jehovah (society) is the one who has the right to set the standard for righteousness, not us ! " It continues, "Our IMPERFECT nature can lead us down this path. This can easily happen when we see something that WE view as unfair or if we PERSONALLY suffer hardship. " Translation : If you suffer hardships it's only YOUR OWN fault - not the organization or Jehovah.
The next part is really weird. In the midst of an ensuing paragraph JUSTIFYING Jehovah forgiving King David & Bath Sheba's adulltery & David 's murdering her husband check THIS quote out, Under the subheading : " Our viewpoint May be Distorted or Limited " it states, " The second factor to remember when we are faced with a situation that APPEARS to be unfair is that OUR VIEWPOINT MAY BE DISTORTED OR LIMITED. It can be distorted by imperfection, prejudice, or cultural background. It is also limited by our inability to discern motives and to know what is really in people's hearts. In contrast, both Jehovah and Jesus have no such limitations. " Translation : You are imperfect , stupid idiots who allow prejudice sin, and your varied backgrounds to distort you. You are dirt. As dumb as rocks. Trust us the WT society and God- you can NEVER trust yourself !
It concludes by stating, " So if at times we see something that WE FEEL is unfair on Jehovah's part ( WT society's part ) whether we read it in the Bible account or experience it in OUR PERSONAL life - let us NEVER judge God ( WT society ) by our own standards of righteousness. Remember that we do NOT always have all the facts and that our viewpoint may be DISTORTED or LIMITED. " I want to get sick.
Once again the society makes it's members feel they CANNOT trust their own minds, heart, or judgment on ANYTHING that differs or seems unjust within the organization. It is a way to make members feel GUILTY and in FEAR if, in fact, they DO find themselves having doubts. If there is any doubt by anybody that this isn't a dangerous mind control organization, I think this article removes that doubt.
So even though the organization has been wrong so many times and has had to revised their publications many times to correct their mistakes, we have to trust everything they say without question because they are supposed to be spealing for God. How presumptuous. How frightening.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Annointed Disassociates Himself After 33 Years As A Jehovah's Witness
Early this year I requested disassociation from the org and have been meaning to publish some sort of statement. I was a member for over 33 years and partook of the emblems. Being an older widow it took some deliberation and guts to make the move but am currently very happy with the change. My exit contemplation actually began in 2006 with the examination of WTS chronology and wonderment why they are about the only organization on planet earth that claims 607 was the historic date for the destruction and burning of Jerusalem. It is well proven that 587 or close to that date is the historic fact. In the process I developed my own chronology which was great fun and submitted it to the brothers in the Writing Committee. After about 2 months they responded with a very polite correspondence suggesting I should "wait on the Faithful and Discrete Slave" for any changes but they made no effort at rebuttal of my facts. Of course I knew all about Carl Olof Jonsson's efforts and that they were well informed of the truth already. In fact they have known since 1906 if I am to believe the old WT volumes - so waiting any longer obviously ridiculous. The other humorous factor is I am (or was) considered part of the "faithful and discrete slave class" per their definition. Of course we know it is "only" the Governing Body but they don't put that in print so I found the response even more humorous since I would be waiting upon "myself." Enough for that subject. I would love to share the chronology if anyone has an interest - the Bible itself proves the point quite adequately in my opinion.
But for now I thought you might enjoy a short composition I prepared to explain my reasons for leaving - and if you think it worthy you may share with others though I haven't decided whether it is best to remain anonymous for such a contribution or use my "real name" - probably just list as "contributed" like WTS does - LOL. I'm still showing their influence in my actions. But it is the subject and not the person that is of value here.
10 Reasons to Leave
(Based on the same reasoning as found in the famous poem)
Children Learn What They Live
1) If an organization focuses much of its attention
on condemnation of other groups
it is teaching its members
to become judgmental of one another
2) If an organization is hostile to those outside itself
with differing opinions
its members may become contentious
among themselves, forming cliques of their own
3) If an organization focuses on persecution as proof
of their genuineness
its members may develop self-pity,
the martyrdom complex
4) If an organization is inflexible, rigid, and dogmatic,
creating myriads of rules,
its members become stubborn, defiant, authoritarian
crossing "t's" and dotting "i's" but losing the Spirit
5) If an organization is domineering and controlling
its members themselves will lack
mercy and kindness, empathy and understanding.
In short they will lack love for one another.
6) If an organization continually prods, pushes, and goads
its members to increase their commitment and service,
its members are being taught
to focus on works and achievement
7) If an organization uses guilt as a motivator,
its members may withdraw into protective shells
and joyous participation disappears
8) If an organization claims itself to be the "faithful and wise servant"
its members become self-righteous,
hoping for glory and exaltation of men
9) If an organization elevates itself
claiming to be the sole channel of God and truth,
its members themselves
may become proud and arrogant.
10) If an organization practices deceit,
its members will become guilty themselves of spiritism
People are often attracted to an authoritarian religion
Because of a lack of inner security, a feeling of powerlessness
Their need for structure and dogmatic certainty may be very high.
Principle-centered living will elude them.
They will seek their identity in works and prestige.
They may feel insignificant and easily become vulnerable to depression.
It is not unusual to see them lose balance and good sense,
Putting family or other priorities aside, even personal health needs,
Assuming all will understand they must be about God's work.
Once their emotional worth comes from their group affiliation,
They become incapable of an objective search for truth.
They lose their freedom or capacity to make independent decisions,
Become enslaved, a form of idolatry,
Restricted by attitudes, behavior and actions of others,
Ruled by fear rather than love.
Cognitive dissonance may result,
Inner compulsiveness, even immorality functioning as relief valves,
On rare occasions even the development of insanity.
But for now I thought you might enjoy a short composition I prepared to explain my reasons for leaving - and if you think it worthy you may share with others though I haven't decided whether it is best to remain anonymous for such a contribution or use my "real name" - probably just list as "contributed" like WTS does - LOL. I'm still showing their influence in my actions. But it is the subject and not the person that is of value here.
10 Reasons to Leave
(Based on the same reasoning as found in the famous poem)
Children Learn What They Live
1) If an organization focuses much of its attention
on condemnation of other groups
it is teaching its members
to become judgmental of one another
2) If an organization is hostile to those outside itself
with differing opinions
its members may become contentious
among themselves, forming cliques of their own
3) If an organization focuses on persecution as proof
of their genuineness
its members may develop self-pity,
the martyrdom complex
4) If an organization is inflexible, rigid, and dogmatic,
creating myriads of rules,
its members become stubborn, defiant, authoritarian
crossing "t's" and dotting "i's" but losing the Spirit
5) If an organization is domineering and controlling
its members themselves will lack
mercy and kindness, empathy and understanding.
In short they will lack love for one another.
6) If an organization continually prods, pushes, and goads
its members to increase their commitment and service,
its members are being taught
to focus on works and achievement
7) If an organization uses guilt as a motivator,
its members may withdraw into protective shells
and joyous participation disappears
8) If an organization claims itself to be the "faithful and wise servant"
its members become self-righteous,
hoping for glory and exaltation of men
9) If an organization elevates itself
claiming to be the sole channel of God and truth,
its members themselves
may become proud and arrogant.
10) If an organization practices deceit,
its members will become guilty themselves of spiritism
People are often attracted to an authoritarian religion
Because of a lack of inner security, a feeling of powerlessness
Their need for structure and dogmatic certainty may be very high.
Principle-centered living will elude them.
They will seek their identity in works and prestige.
They may feel insignificant and easily become vulnerable to depression.
It is not unusual to see them lose balance and good sense,
Putting family or other priorities aside, even personal health needs,
Assuming all will understand they must be about God's work.
Once their emotional worth comes from their group affiliation,
They become incapable of an objective search for truth.
They lose their freedom or capacity to make independent decisions,
Become enslaved, a form of idolatry,
Restricted by attitudes, behavior and actions of others,
Ruled by fear rather than love.
Cognitive dissonance may result,
Inner compulsiveness, even immorality functioning as relief valves,
On rare occasions even the development of insanity.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Jehovah's Witnesses Redefine Irony
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/198477/1/PZ-Myers-mocks-Latest-Awake
Biologist and science blogger PZ Myers has commented on the upcoming Awake magazine in today's blog at Pharyngula.
You can now download the latest issue of Awake, the Jehovah's Witness's strange little magazine. The theme of this issue is those marching militant atheists, so it's a little bit personal.
"Unfortunately, I was only able to read as far as the second sentence before I was blinded by the irony." - PZ
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves - Awake
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves.
That's right. The door-knockin', rabidly proselytizing cult is rebuking atheists for not keeping their views to themselves.
I guess that's fair. Twice now I've watched in anticipation as the local JWs do their thing, working their way up the street, only to see them look at my house, check a piece of paper they carried with them, and turn around to leave. There was also a third time when a couple actually knocked on my door, started their little spiel, and I interrupted them to tell them I was an atheist, would they like to come in and talk about freedom from religion? And they ran away.
So it's true, I suppose, that they do have limits on the expression of their views.
Biologist and science blogger PZ Myers has commented on the upcoming Awake magazine in today's blog at Pharyngula.
You can now download the latest issue of Awake, the Jehovah's Witness's strange little magazine. The theme of this issue is those marching militant atheists, so it's a little bit personal.
"Unfortunately, I was only able to read as far as the second sentence before I was blinded by the irony." - PZ
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves - Awake
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves.
That's right. The door-knockin', rabidly proselytizing cult is rebuking atheists for not keeping their views to themselves.
I guess that's fair. Twice now I've watched in anticipation as the local JWs do their thing, working their way up the street, only to see them look at my house, check a piece of paper they carried with them, and turn around to leave. There was also a third time when a couple actually knocked on my door, started their little spiel, and I interrupted them to tell them I was an atheist, would they like to come in and talk about freedom from religion? And they ran away.
So it's true, I suppose, that they do have limits on the expression of their views.
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